Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

Should change the name of this track to Eldusta instead of Eldora. The racing that I could see was really good, just couuldn't see much, sure sounded like a good race!

During the amain a big rock busted one of the windows of the press box, probably 30 feet above the track. Thank God for the West wind, even after watering the track 4 or 5 times before the sprint amain, still unbelievably dusty. Not sure what that new surface they put on the speedway consisted of, but I don't think there is much clay in it, doesn't seem to hold much water. Sure hope Tony will spend some money during the off season and get rid of the junk that's on it now and put some of what Earl used to have on there, at least I could see the cars when he owned the track.

Waiting for someone in the media to have the balls to write about it.

Promoting races for Charity is a great thing, and I applaud Tony for that.  However he's dropping the ball when it comes to promoting the traditional races that used to flock the fans to the track.

We were assured by someone north of the border, that these poor track conditions would finally be addressed this year.  But I guess that fell by the wayside, like a bad matinee......?

A simple solution to help improve conditions would be a later start time....but I guess they don't want to use those new lights?

_

What's the story on the big crash that happened early in the race?

I got an idea, dont sit in turn 4. I sat on the front stretch just off turn 4, in the top row and didnt get all dirty. It was dusty but I have seen other tracks this season just as dusty at times. I can think of 2 in the last month that I have been to that were just as bad, if not worse. The track was actually old style Eldora last night, a little cushion inches off the wall, a slick spot just before the cushion, and a bottom that could be raced on.

Life's short, race hard!!!

Oh yeah Tim,

The big crash. Brady Short threw it into turn 1 hard on a restart, running 3rd, jumped the cushion, bicycled, then started rolling. Yes heavy enough cushion to do that on. Some guys seen him rolling and got on the brakes, while others didn't, plus he came right back down the banking too. A lot of guy had nowhere to go and it was like a freeway accident. 10 cars in all got collected, 4 flipping at the same time. It looked real nasty, guys just slamming into the pile. I am sure Dean got some good vids of it and it might be on Speed Report tonight.

Life's short, race hard!!!

Thanks for the info Duane.

Why don't you have the balls to call Tony or the track and ask for your money back?

Or better yet sue the track for dirtscrimination?

Or maybe just shut TFU and get yourself some cheese to go with that whine!

Did you ever think about what it takes in the weather they have had lately to even get a track ready to race? Doubt it! I was there and I could see just fine and it was a great race to watch (except for the early crash).

Instead of getting on here complaining, think about all the people who would have loved to have been there but couldn't because they were at home trying to survive the flood.

MORON!

Dixie, you are right about being thankful to be there, I am very thankful to be there with my son and his friend and some other family. I called the track one time from the grandstands while Mr Kemp was on the grader for the fourth consecutive night, delaying another race doing on race night what should be done through the week, I was told I'd have to speak to Mr Kemp, but unfortunately he was on the grader, I said I know thats why I want my money back.. I would be happy to speak to Tony if I only had his cell phone. I'm sure they read the message boards and this is a good way to communicate, especially if others who think things can be better voice their disappointment. Regarding the weather, yes it was a tough week, but two inches of rain the day before the race and it blowing blinding dust in heat races?

Duane, I sat in turn one, just below the roof line, not in turn four. Yes nice cushion, ring of black right below, very exciting, just thank God four the wind at our backs. I also think with USAC, almost 40 360 sprints and the stocks they ran a timely program, no complaints, I just don't get the surface being so dusty.

Finally, Jesse Hockett is the real deal and enjoyed watching this kid race. Wish he would have passed Hines for the win.

Dixie, relax, and whatever that is you're holding in your hand in your photo, wash your hands when you put it down, you don't know where that's been.

I talked to Larry Kemp earlier in the week...he was on the grader and prepping the track for the weekend. Believe me, it's more than a one day effort. I don't think it's because they aren't putting the effort in to get ready. I wasn't there and can't speak as to the conditions, but I know the effort is being made to provide the best track and racing possible.

Eldora being my home track, I should point out a couple of things:

1. Earl Baltes was on that track more than I could ever think humanly possible. The man built and loved that track from his own blood and sweat. It was his. He wasn't paid to do it. He loved it. There is no money in the world that will ever buy that kind of dedication. I, being the small person who spent a great deal of time there and saw Tony there quite a bit before he owned it, believe that if Tony had all of the time in the world, he would do the same thing. I truly believe he loves that track almost as much as Earl does. I, not knowing Larry Kemp, believe that Larry does everything in his power and the money available to try to get that track to the shape it needs to be in. But, like I said, money cannot buy the love that Earl had for that track and Tony has a very busy schedule. I distinctly remember a couple of extremely stressful times in my life in which I went to Eldora in the middle of the week just because it was my "happy place" and remember seeing Earl on the track taking care of it. That's not pay, that's love.

2. EVERY track that resurfaces with new dirt has dust and poor racing for a couple of years. Look at how great the racing has been at Knoxville this year, a couple of years since the new dirt was hauled in. Fans were lost because of the constant follow-the-leader racing, but the track had to come into its own. We're now a couple of years into it, the dirt has got some rubber mixed into it, and the racing is getting really good again. All we need now is to get the fans back and let them see how good it is. Every so often, you have to bring new dirt into the track. Then you get dust clouds and follow-the-leader a lot during the first couple of seasons. I don't know anything about track preparation, but my little engineer brain can draw logical conclusions from a lot of different experiences that tell me new dirt = bad racing for the first couple of seasons and turns out really well in the future. Be patient or quit going. There are plenty of us who love that track more than life itself. I plan to go there in the near future just to get over this last week. Knoxville's awesome and I need it desparately right now, but, as Dorothy said, "There's no place like home."

The Mermaid